Alley cropping technology
1999
Huelgas, G.M. (Department of Agriculture, Maraouy, Lipa City (Philippines). Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center)
Alley cropping involves the planting of hedgerows across slopes and the use of alleyways between hedgerows for the growing of annual food crops. Peanuts, corn, rice, pineapple, grain legumes, rootcrops, vegetables, and other annual food crops can be grown in the alleyways. Ipil-ipil, kakawate, katuray, acacia, flemingia, tephrosia, napier, king grass, vetiver, sugarcane, and other fruit trees can be used as hedgerows. Alley cropping controls soil erosion and facilities formation of natural terraces. Studies in Mabini, Batangas [Philippines] reveal that the 60 t/ha per year soil loss was reduced to only 3-5 t/ha per year. Soil chemical and physical properties likewise improved with alleycropping treatment. Projected net returns for five years, showed relatively increasing figures. Farmers noticed improvements in their yields after trying the technology. They obtained additional incomes from hedgerow crops like banana, lemon grass, and malunggay. The technology is recommended in sloping areas for soil rehabilitation and management of degraded hillylands
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